Sunday, September 18, 2016

To walk on clouds!

This is a never-ending land covered with oak, alder, beech and pine trees
and an ocean of clouds is flowing just under your feet. Let pure oxygen and
pleasant moist run into your lungs after a long hiking, then set up your tent
or hang your hammock on trees and listen to woodpeckers digging into the trees.
This foggy atmosphere is just beautiful and surreal!

"Jangal e Abr" or "Clouds forest" during October.

Yes, these are happening in Iran although it is known as a dry land!
“Jangal- e Abr” or “Clouds forest” is located on Alborz heights, between Shahroud
in Semnan province which is a dry land and Ali Abad in the north with a rainy
climate (North East of Iran). “Clouds forest” is a part of the Hyrcanian forest, dating back to
Jurassic era and it has been inscribed as a national heritage for Iran. This
forest is located between two areas with different heights and climates. This
contrast is why this forest is covered in dense clouds. 85 species of trees and
medical herbs are available in “Clouds forest” and you may see Persian brown
bear and wild boar during your climbing trip up to the heights.

The climbing route to "Clouds forest" usually starts in Abr village of
Shahroud, where you can visit Bayazid Bastami’s tomb (a well-known Persian Sufi
who passed away 874 A.D). You can reach the heights in the middle of the
“Clouds forest” on a car and spend a day in the forest. You can also start an
adventurous climbing trip through the forest which takes 3- 4 days. The forest
goes dense and the fog makes you feel fresh as you continue the climbing route
and you may see bear’s footprint and wild mushrooms on your way. This is a very
good area for camping during nights and enjoying the forest’s beauty and the
fresh weather. After two days you will reach a village named “Afra takhteh”.
The climbing route is continued by walking through a canyon and it finishes on
the other side of the mountain, in a small village named “Shirin Abad”, near
Ali Abad village.

During spring the weather is just perfect for hiking in “Clouds forest”.
The temperature is about 26°C and the spring rain makes it so enjoyable to walk
through young green leaves and the beautiful nature. But autumn changes this
forest into a magic land, while the temperature is about 16-19°C. Ok, I’m not
sure that this is the most fabulous autumn view but the colorful trees in
yellow and ochre, while pale autumn sunlight shines on them is truly a fabulous
scene.

Ask uppersia for outdoor tours in Iran during autumn and enjoy the wild,
unknown nature.